Background- we registered our daughter with the (independent) school in our area that we liked best, however as we had left it later than we intended, she only had a place on the waiting list.
As it drew closer to the time when she should commence school we started to panic dither a little, so went to view another school that we had previously discounted for some unmemorable reason. We actually quite liked this 2nd school, so put her on the waiting list there immediately.
The current economic climate being what it is, the 2nd school intimated that it was very likely she would secure a place there to start in september after DH pressed them on the matter.
This morning however, we received a letter from the first school offering her a place to begin in January - something we weren't now particularly expecting.
The problem is that the 2 schools have quite different strengths- and there are aspects of each that I prefer- how on earth do I decide?
It is compounded by the fact that we have been offered for her to start in January BUT I am due to give birth in Jan, and I feel this would be far too much for my DD to cope with emotionally- she isn't 3 until February.
Has anyone been in similar circumstances? Is it likely that school 1 would let us defer entry until Easter without penalty, when things at home will have settled a little?
I balk a little at paying her nursery fees (FT) and school fees for a whole term when in reality she is likely to attend neither very much once I am home with the baby.
Practicalities-wise I do not see how she is to start school- any school- in January. Both schools are somewhat distant from our home, and neither DH nor MIL drive, and it is growing increasingly likely I will be having a csection this time round, putting me out of action for 6 weeks or so. We are intending to move (closer to both schools), though in 18 months time probably, especially with the housing market the way it it at present.
If you have read this far.... Thank you!